Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

On a quiet Sunday, a sudden tragedy struck the seas near Sulawesi Island in Indonesia. A ferry named KM Barcelona 5 caught fire, killing at least five people and leaving many others injured. This incident shocked the nation and left families worried about their loved ones.

What Happened on the Ferry?

The ferry was carrying hundreds of passengers on its way to Manado, the capital city of North Sulawesi province. It was supposed to be a regular journey, with people travelling to visit their families, return home, or continue their work in Manado.
But as the ferry was moving smoothly through the sea, a fire suddenly broke out at the stern, which is the back part of the ship. Thick smoke and flames started to rise, causing panic among the passengers. Many people screamed and ran towards the front of the ferry to escape the fire.

Passengers Jumped Overboard to Save Their Lives

Seeing the huge flames, many passengers knew they had no choice. They put on their life jackets quickly and jumped into the sea to save themselves. Some people were helped by friends, family members, or even strangers who were travelling with them.
The ferry was near the northern tip of Sulawesi, about an hour away from the resort town of Likupang. Luckily, there were fishermen in nearby waters who saw the black smoke rising high in the sky. These fishermen rushed with their boats to rescue the people floating in the sea. Their bravery helped save many lives that day.

How Many People Were Saved?

According to Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency, also known as Bakamla, around 284 people were evacuated safely from the burning ferry. However, five people died in this tragic incident. Two of the dead passengers have not yet been identified. The injured people were quickly taken to the nearest health facilities for treatment.

Rescue Efforts Continued Until Nightfall

The head of the search and rescue agency in Manado, George Leo Mercy Randang, said that the most important thing for them was to rescue everyone before the sun set. He said, “What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall.”
As the rescue operation continued, Bakamla vessels sprayed water on the ferry to control the fire. Videos taken during the operation showed black smoke still coming out of the ferry as rescue teams worked hard to put out the flames and save passengers.

What Caused the Fire?

At the moment, no official reason has been given for the cause of the fire. Both Bakamla and the rescue agency have said that investigations will continue to find out what exactly happened on board that led to such a dangerous situation.

Why Do Marine Accidents Happen Often in Indonesia?

Marine accidents like ferry fires or boat capsizing happen quite often in Indonesia. This is because the country is an archipelago made up of around 17,000 islands, so many people depend on ferries and boats for travel.
Experts say that some of the reasons for these accidents are:
Lax safety standards: Sometimes, ferries do not have proper safety checks or strong maintenance before starting their journeys.
Overcrowding: Often, more people are allowed on board than the ferry can safely carry.
Bad weather: Indonesia’s seas can become rough without warning, making travel dangerous.

Recent Accidents in Indonesian Waters

Just a few weeks ago, a ferry travelling to Bali sank due to bad weather, killing at least 19 people. In March this year, another boat carrying 16 people capsized in the rough waters near Bali. Sadly, this accident killed an Australian woman and injured at least one other person.
If we look further back, in 2018, a tragedy happened when a ferry sank in Lake Toba on Sumatra island. This lake is one of the world’s deepest lakes. More than 150 people drowned in that disaster, leaving families grieving for their loved ones for years.

How Did Fishermen Help in This Fire Incident?

In this recent ferry fire, fishermen became heroes. As soon as they saw the fire and the people jumping into the sea, they did not waste a minute. They turned their boats towards the burning ferry and started picking up people from the water. Some passengers were scared and tired after swimming for a long time, and these fishermen helped them climb into the boats safely.
They then took the rescued passengers to nearby islands, where they were given first aid, water, and blankets. Without these fishermen, the number of deaths could have been much higher.

What Happens Next?

The government and Bakamla have promised to:

• Investigate the cause of the fire.

• Check if the ferry followed all safety rules.

• Find out why the fire spread so quickly.

• Support the families of those who died and those who were injured.

• This investigation is important because it can help prevent such accidents in the future. People travelling on ferries in Indonesia should feel safe, and families should not have to worry about losing their loved ones in such tragedies.

How Can Such Accidents Be Prevented?

To prevent such incidents, experts suggest:

• Regular safety checks of ferries are conducted before every journey.

• Ensuring fire safety equipment is present and in good condition.

• Training ferry staff on how to handle emergencies calmly and quickly.

• Strict rules on the maximum number of passengers allowed on board.

• Making sure life jackets are easily available for everyone on the ferry.

A Lesson for All

For students reading this news, it is important to understand that transport safety is very crucial. Just like schools conduct fire drills to prepare students for emergencies, ferry companies and governments must conduct safety drills and inspections regularly.

This ensures that in case of real danger, staff and passengers know what to do to save lives. It also reminds us that brave people, like the fishermen who rescued passengers from the sea, show us the importance of helping others in need without thinking twice.

The ferry fire near Sulawesi is another reminder that safety measures can never be ignored. Five families have lost their loved ones forever, and many people will never forget the fear they felt while jumping into the sea to escape the flames.

We hope that the cause of this fire is found soon, and stronger safety rules are made to protect passengers. People travel on ferries daily with the hope of reaching their destination safely. It is the responsibility of ferry companies and authorities to ensure that every journey ends safely, with smiles and not tears.